I can speak for "The Shack". I really enjoyed that one. If you have little ones, I promise you will enjoy it. I can see some not liking this book because it has a Christian perspective. It does not however force any doctorine/ideals on you. Just enjoy it for what it's worth, a fictional story.
Absolutely. I read that based on someone on this board's recommendation, and it was a great book. You should check out The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
Outliers is great. Also recommend Blink and the Tipping Point. If you like non-fiction snippets like that, you might also like Freakonomics.
You want to read a seriously funny book that few people in the world have ever read, read: The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. This book is so extremely inventive I don't have any reservations saying you will never read another book like it in the world.
Mr. ScriboErgoSum, I think I may listen to all of your book recommendations from now on. I'd already read The Lovely Bones (ugh) and fully agreed with your opinion of it, as well as The Historian. I've had Johnathan Strange & Mr. Norrell in my collection for a while; it's just that the size of it made any attempts at reading it a daunting task. Anyhow, after seeing how much you recommended The Shadow of the Wind, I decided to give it a try and can now say, WOW.. I have a new favorite book. As Stephen King himself said, what a "gorgeous read." I will DEFINITELY be picking up the prequel to this (as well as the others you mentioned. of course). Thanks again!
if you liked Razor's Edge, try "Of Human Bondage" - Somerset's best in my opinion, and I loved Razor's Edge too.
I'm a big fan of Shadow of the Wind as well. There's something about this book that just grips you. I have the 2nd book, but haven't started it yet. Also read The Historian, felt the build up and mystery aspects were strong, but something about the ending and motives left me a bit unsatisfied. I'm not as big of a fan of Jonathan Strange & M. Norrel as I would have expected. I read it a few years ago, but by now have largely forgotten the details.
Quick second for "The Road." One of the best books I've ever read. And if you're still hungry for more parables about the apocalypse, Jose Saramago's "Blindness" is pretty damn great.
I already have my holiday reading list set up... Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer Anathem by Neal Stephenson Killing Rommel: A Novel by Stephen Pressfield Nixonland: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America by Rick Perlstein
90% of what i read is history related, but for fiction... confederacy of dunces - the funniest book i have ever read - i literally lol'ed throughout the book. welcome to the monkeyhouse - vonnegut - great collection of short stories - 'all the kings men' is a great one - about an american general in vietnam who gets captured by a commie general who forces him to play a game of chess w/ real people, including the general's own wife and son. keith richards bio (victor bockrus version) - a pant-load of awesome!
